Channel



(No Model.)

A. 'A. LOW.

TYPE GONTAINING CHANNEL.

No. 360,366. Patented Mar. 29; 1887.

UNTTED STATES PATENT QFFICEO A. AUGUSTUS LOIV, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALDEN TYPE MACHINE COMPANY,

OF N E\V YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360,356, dated March 29, 1,887.

Application filed May 4, 1886.

T0 (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, A, AUeUsrUs Low, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Containing Channels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My improvements relate to the special construction of the type-containing channels used in conjunction with the class of type setting and distributing apparatus set forth in the following patents among others, viz: Nos. 230,7 84, 254,019, 263,707, 264,084, 264,085, 268,409, 271,711, 275,66t, 279,168, and 282,988.

The typecontaining channels of this class are first inserted in the distributing apparatus by which the types are deposited and forwarded in their respective containing-channels, in which they form long lines or columns, the in dividual members of which occupy prescribed positions with relation to each other and to their containing-channel. \Vhen full, the containing-channels are transferred to the channel-case, from which they are removed in the manner set forth in the earlier patents referred to. During distribution the types are usually forwarded within their containingehan nels by a reciprocating pusher, which acts against the resistance afforded by the types already distributed and that of a loose type-preceder or slug, which sustains the forward end of the column. Owing to a certain spring or elasticity existing to a greater or less degree in a column of type, the causes of which need not be re iterated herein, as they are fully set forth in application No. 156,604, February 24, 1885, and subsequent applications, to which reference may be had in this connection as illustrating the state of the art, the later types distributed into the channels have a tendency to backlash or follow the retractile movement of the pusher.

I have heretofore devised means for pre venting or counteracting the evil effects of such backlash,v as in my applications Nos. 192,493 and 195,866. I11 an application executed and filed herewith I also show a special form of construction in which an elastic or Serial No. 101,104. (No model.)

semi-elastic bearing-surface forms a distinguishing feature; but the means therein employed are not strictly positive, and in some cases the use of an elastic or semi-elastic ma terial is objectionable.

In my application No. 201,105, filed upon the same date as the present application, I show, and seek to claim, a type-ehannel of maximum width externallywhich is provided with a comparatively narrowcontinuous typepassage for the accommodation of smaller sizes of types, the contraction being formed by upsetting the greater portion of one side wallso that it projects internally. The construction referred to relates entirely to the size of the channel as a whole, whereas my present invention relates entirely to the receiving end of a channel the greater portion of the type-passage in which is necessarily wider than the portion adjoining the longitudinal rib or bead which I claim herein as a means of preventing backlash or retraetile movement in the type column.

I am also aware that in my application No. 195,866 I show an internal longitudinal rib or head; but I confine myself therein to the use of such a rib orbead, when roughened or corrugated,.to increase the frictional contact with the types for the purpose of retarding or preventing their escape from that end of the chan' nel, whereas in my present construction I confine myself strictly to the type-receiving end of the channel andto the special arrangement therein.

The leading feature of my present invention consists in forming the type-containing ohannel at its receiving end with a longitudinal head or internal rib upon one side wall,which occupies a plane parallel to the bottom or spine and equal to about one-half type-high therefrom, so as to bear against the types at or near their middle portions and force them over against the opposite side wall; also, in conjunction therewith, in forming the opposite side wall with an abrupt shoulder and a recess or depression beyond, into engagement with which the types are tilted by the longitudinal head or rib, which commences at a point upon the opposite side wall just back of the said shoulder, so that the upper portions of the types, after falling behind said Lil shoulder, are held within the depression and against retractile movement beyond the shoul-' der by said opposed rib or internal bead.

I am aware that in application No. 171,366

lateral deviations or interior projections are formed in opposite sides of the channel; but such projections are vertical or arranged transversely in the channel, whereas my new interior bead or projection is horizontal and arranged longitudinally with the channel, and so as to act only upon the central portion of the types and in line with the action of the push er. Neither are the opposed interior projections referred to the equivalent of my present construction of an internal projection upon one side wall and a shoulder and depression upon the opposite side wall, the only approximation to such latter construction being found in the accompanying application filed herewith; but in the latter I confine myself to an elastic or semi-elastic rib or projection, whereas in the present case I limit myself to an internal rigid rib or projection.

While the rigidlongitudinal rib may be used alone for thelarger types as the equivalent of the longitudinal rib or section of elastic or semi-elastic material described in my previous applications hereinbefore referred to, the special construction and arrangement herein shown is especially desirable and effective when used in connection with the smaller and lighter sizes of type, which are more difficult to handle and control than the larger sizes.

During use the smaller sizes of type are in the aggregate most liable to be bent or distorted from their original straight shape, causing them, when they are assembled in a continuous line within a type-channel, to present an unusual degree of elasticity or retractile force, which renders it desirable that they shall be positively locked out or prevented from returning into the throat or receiving end of the channel after they have once been forwarded therefrom by the pusher. This I insure by my present improvement in construction.

Another feature of my present invention consists in forming the receiving ends of the narrower channels for the reception of the smaller sizes of types, with enlarged extremities having parallel side walls, which engage with the stationary shoulders upon the distributing apparatus,said stationary shoulders being of a uniform standard size and of a width equal to that of the type-passages in the largest channels to be used. The shoulders referred to act to centralize the channels and steady them laterally, as set forth in the patents for distributing apparatus hereinbefore referred to.

I am aware that heretofore the ends of the channels have been beveled or flared for a similar purpose; but this necessitates the use of corresponding wedge-shaped shoulders upon the distributer, which are not as effective in use as the square shoulders.

In my last application, No. 195,866, I show a couple of corrugated elongated ribs or beads at the end of the channel opposite the receiving end for the purpose of obstructing the escape of the types; but these are not designed to act in conjunction with the pusher, and I limit myself in said application and in this to the special uses to which the longitudinal ribs are applied in each individual case.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of the receiving end of a type-containing channel and adjoining parts of the distributing apparatus. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section ofthe receiving end of a channel empty; Fig. 4, a horizontal longitudinal section of the same upon the plane of line m 00, Fig. 3; Fig.

-5, a transverse section of the receiving end of the type-channel, illustrating the locking of the type; Fig. 6, an end elevation of the receiving end of a type-channel; Fig. 7, a top type-containing channels having narrow typepassages, showing their engagement with the eentralizingand supporting shoulders upon the distributing apparatus. Fig.8 isaside elevation of my improved slug or type-preceder,

and Fig. 9 a transverse section of the same.

The type-containing channel 0 is struck up from sheet metal or-otherwise formed into the required shape.

\Vhen inserted in the distributing apparatus, its inner or receiving end, 0, is made to engage with the usual tongues or shoulders, D, which project into it and centralize and support the channels laterally.

WVhen the channels'are designed for the reception of types of the smaller sizes, they are made correspondingly less in width, except at their inner or receiving ends, which are widened and formed with parallel side walls, d d, which are adapted to engage with the standard size of projecting shoulder D upon the distributer.

The channel is preferably formed with a high wall, 0*, and a lower wall, 0, as heretofore. Near the receiving end 0 the low side wall, 0 is formed with a depression orrecess, T, which terminates at its receiving end in an abrupt shoulder, 8, while at the other it gradually merges into the full height of the side wall, as shown in Fig. 6. Upon the opposite or higher side is formed a rigid internally-projecting longitudinal bead or rib, m. This longitudinal rib m may be beaded or stamped out from the material forming the side wall at that point, or it may be otherwise formed or applied in any suitable or convenient manner. Its position within the channel is parallel to the floor or spine 0 of the latter, and in a line with the motion of the pusher P, with which it acts in conjunction by retaining the types after they have been forwarded by the advance stroke of the pusher and during its retractile movement. may be used alone, if preferred or desirable; but when used in conjunction with the depression r and shoulder 8 upon the opposite This longitudinal rib m' view of the receiving ends of three adjoining 4 IIO side wall it constitutes, with the latter, a posi turn of even the smallest types into the throat or receiving end of the channel. To effect this the shoulder s is arranged slightly in advance of the inner or receiving end of the rib m, in such manner that before the type has actually been affected by the rib it will have passed just beyond the shoulder s, when its continued forward movement will cause the rib to push it laterally, so that its upper portion will project slightly into the depression or recess 1- and behind the shoulder s, as illus trated in Fig. 5, in which the inner outline of the shoulder s is dotted. (See, also, Fig. 2.) The obstruction thus presented against the return of the type, though slight, is positive, and sufficient to counteract back-pressure of a column of even the smallest types. As the types advance farther, they are gradually raised to the perpendicular by the increasein height ofthe portion of the upper edge of the side wall, 0 which constitutes the bottom of the depression 0'.

The type-preceder or slug Q is formed with a series of perforations, q q, through which the cord (1" may be passed or laced. The holes are countersunk upon one side, as shown in Fig. 9, at Q2, to accommodate the knots or other fastenings by which the ends of the cord are secured. The series of holes permit of the use of a shorter or longer cord, as may be required, and they are preferably arranged in the body of the slug diagonally, as shown.

In my application for patent filed May 11, 1886, Jo. 201,881, Ishow and describe a typepreceder or slug provided with holes for the reception of a frictional cord, such slug being countersunk upon one side to inclose a portion of the cord, and I do not seek herein to cover such construction, broadly; but in the application referred to the preceder or slug as claimed is designed to be reversible in the channel, so as to fit therein tightly orloosely,

as required, and one side of a loop or band of cord is countersunk in a groove, while the other portion of the loop or band of cord projects upon the opposite side of the slug,whereas the novelty in my present construction consists in the special means for affording variations in resistance, as hereinbefore set forth, and a single thickness only of cord isused, the slug upon one side being formed wlth recesses or depressions surrounding the perforations for the purpose of isolating the knot formed in the ends ofthe cord, and no continuous groove being employed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A type-containing channel havinga type passage of maximum width, substantially as designated, formed at its receiving end with a comparatively narrow internally-project1ng rigid longitudinal rib or bead parallel to the floor of the channel and at a distance above said fioor equal to or approximating one-half oftype-high, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. A type-containing channel substantially such as designated, formed at its receiving end with a rigid longitudinal internal rib pro jecting inward upon one side Wall and a depression and shoulder upon an adjoining portion of the opposite side wall, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. A type-containing channel substantially such as designated, formed at its inner or receiving end with an enlarged extremity, the side walls of which are parallel, for the purpose and substantially in the manner de scribed.

A. AUGUSTUS LOXV.

W'i tn esses:

\VM. GARDNER, GEO. \V. llIIATT. 

